Patterns are predefined textures which are generated by the control when the user requests them. Xceed Chart for WinForms supports over 50 types of Excel-like patterns. Applying patterns to FillEffect object is very easy and requires the same steps as applying gradients, for example. The shortcut function that will change the FillEffect type, pattern style, and pattern colors is SetPattern:

fillEffect.SetPattern(HatchStyle.DarkHorizontal, Color.White, Color.Black)

fillEffect.SetPattern(HatchStyle.DarkHorizontal, Color.White, Color.Black);

This line of code will apply a pattern of black and white horizontal stripes. The following table lists the possible pattern styles: 

Percent 5		Wide Downward Diagonal		Diagonal Brick
Percent 10		Wide Upward Diagonal		Horizontal Brick
Percent 20		Light Vertical		Weave
Percent 25		Light Horizontal		Plaid
Percent 30		Narrow Vertical		Divot
Percent 40		Narrow Horizontal		Dotted Grid
Percent 50		Dark Vertical		Dotted Diamond
Percent 60		Dark Horizontal		Shingle
Percent 70		Dashed Downward Diagonal		Trellis
Percent 75		Dashed Upward Diagonal		Sphere
Percent 80		Dashed Horizontal		Small Grid
Percent 90		Dashed Vertical		Large Grid
Light Downward Diagonal		Small Confetti		Small Checker Board
Light Upward Diagonal		Large Confetti		Large Checker Board
Dark Downward Diagonal		Zig Zag		Outlined Diamond
Dark Upward Diagonal		Wave		Solid Diamond

The pattern type is defined with the help of the standard enumeration System.Drawing.Drawing2D.HatchStyle. To get the pattern constant you need, all you have to do is to add the words in the pattern name. For example, if you want to achieve a "Zig Zag" pattern you use the following:

fillEffect.SetPattern(HatchStyle.ZigZag, Color.White, Color.Black)

fillEffect.SetPattern(HatchStyle.ZigZag, Color.White, Color.Black);

As we mentioned at the beginning of this topic, SetPattern is a shortcut function. You can achieve the same results with the following code:

fillEffect.Type = FillEffectType.Pattern
fillEffect.HatchStyle = HatchStyle.ZigZag
fillEffect.BeginColor = Color.White
fillEffect.EndColor = Color.Black

fillEffect.Type = FillEffectType.Pattern;
fillEffect.HatchStyle = HatchStyle.ZigZag;
fillEffect.BeginColor = Color.White;
fillEffect.EndColor = Color.Black;

You should also know that patterns are treated like textures, internally. This is why you can apply advanced texture transformations to them. For more information, please read the Texture Mapping topic in this book.

Related Examples

Windows forms: Fill Effects\General

See Also

FillEffect | Xceed 3D Lighting Model | Working with Lights | Texture Mapping